HIVMA: Florida’s “Parental Rights” Bill Will Harm Health of LGBTQ Youth

HIVMA is deeply concerned by the harm that the “Parental Rights in Education” bill passed today by the Florida legislature will have on the health and quality of life of LGBTQ youth and families if signed into law. In the last year alone, 42% of LGBTQ youth considered suicide. Banning and restricting discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools will compound the stigma and discrimination that LGBTQ youth experience, causing harm to their individual physical and mental health and impeding effective responses to HIV and STI prevention. We urge the Florida governor not to sign the bill into law and for other states that may be considering similar bills to withdraw them.

Marwan Haddad, MD, MPH--Chair, HIVMA